Women's National Basketball Association

News about Women's National Basketball Association, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Jul. 5, 2015

WNBA officials have made several possible game-altering mistakes already this season, one that even drew a fine. MORE

Jun. 30, 2015

William C Rhoden Sports of The Times column holds that WNBA continues to struggle to attract fans despite rising talent. MORE

Jun. 2, 2015

Op-Ed article by author Asher Price suggests only way to make women's professional basketball more appealing to fans is for the WNBA to lower the height of rims; contends there is plenty of precedent for allowing different equipment in women's sports. MORE

Jun. 2, 2015

Owners committee from the WNBA's board of governors will examine Isiah Thomas's bid to become partial owner of the New York Liberty; investigation will focus on Thomas's tenure as president, coach and adviser to the New York Knicks, during which he was accused of sexual harassment. MORE

Feb. 7, 2015

Harvey Araton On Pro Basketball notes former Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi, who decided to skip 2015 WNBA season for more pay from her Russian team, is making more than $1.5 million this season in Russia; says that if Taurasi stayed in WNBA she would have made only a little more than $100,000; suggests WNBA, in effort to keep its best players, offer bonuses to players who limit overseas commitments to three months. MORE

Jun. 11, 2014

Juliet Macur Sports Of The Times column notes that WNBA is rolling out a marketing strategy aimed at appealing to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community; contends that gesture to LGBT fans has come too late to seem heroic, arriving only after the taboo against being gay in professional sports has largely crumbled. MORE

May. 22, 2014

WNBA launches marketing campaign that will makes it the first professional league to specifically recruit gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender fans; other women's professional basketball news noted. MORE

Sep. 19, 2013

Ticket sales during WNBA regular season increased by 8.9 percent thanks to league's shift in branding and promotion, focusing on Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner and other top rookies; Mercury is preparing for WNBA playoff series against Los Angeles Sparks, and has led the league in new season-ticket holders, increasing ticket revenue by 35 percent. MORE

Oct. 8, 2012

William C Rhoden Sports of The Times column asserts that the WNBA, which continues to fly under the radar even as it prepares for its 16th finals, can remain successful with innovative marketing and forceful leadership; holds that record number of girls continue to play the sport, and women's college basketball is highly popular. MORE

Aug. 5, 2012

Adam Bryant Corner Office column features interview with Women's National Basketball Assn president Laurel J Richie discussing her career and management technique. MORE

Aug. 22, 2011

Women's National Basketball Assn signs sponsorship deal with Boost Mobile that will place cellphone company's logo on most team uniforms. MORE

Apr. 22, 2011

Veteran marketing executive Laurel J Richie replaces Donna Orender as president of WNBA; Richie is the league's third president in 15 seasons. MORE

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July 26, 2015, Sunday

With the league’s best players gathered for Saturday’s All-Star Game, Delle Donne’s colleagues, including Brittney Griner, are acknowledging that she has begun to fulfill the lofty expectations with which she entered the league.